In ancient times, there were individuals known as witch hunters who were responsible for locating and apprehending witches. These witch hunters were often feared and revered by society, as they possessed unique skills and knowledge to combat the supernatural. One of the most famous witch hunters in history was Matthew Hopkins, who lived during the 17th century in England. Known as the "Witchfinder General," Hopkins was responsible for the execution of numerous women accused of witchcraft. He employed various methods to identify witches, such as the "swimming test" and the "pricking test". The swimming test involved tying the accused witch's hands and feet together and dropping her into a body of water.
The Vegvísir "Viking compass"
The Vegvísir is also known as the Viking compass. It is a symbol that has magic in itself and was used to guide people in bad weather or when there was very little visibility. It is also known as "guidepost" or "direction sign".
The word comes from the Icelandic language and its meaning is "marker". in turn, it is divided into two terms: Veg, which comes from vegur and means path, and Wazir, which means "guide" or "indication".
In ancient times the Vikings used the Vegvísir to warn the rest of the inhabitants of northern Europe that they had these amulets that gave them good luck to arrive safely at their destination. Today it is still used as a good luck omen and also for orientation and it is very common to see it in tattoos of different shapes and sizes.
This instrument is related to traditional compasses, especially those that use sunlight to function, which were used by northern European navigators. Its shape is similar to that of the compass rose, which we can see on maps today.
The symbol helps the person using it not to lose his way and to find the safest course to reach his destination.
The Vegvísir is composed of symbols that are similar to those found in the runes called Galdrastafur or sigil in Icelandic. It is a type of symbology that shows a group of letters joined together.
It has eight ends and in the center of it is a ninth symbol. Between all of them they offer the representation of the 9 worlds that are embodied in all the Nordic mythology. Within them is the upper world composed of Asgard, Vanaheim and Lichtalfheim; the middle world composed of Muspilheim, Midgard and Niflheim and the lower world in which are Svartalfheim, Jötunheim and Hel.
On the other hand, it is also believed that the Vegvísir shows the eight cardinal points that the Vikings used to orient themselves at sea when they made those long voyages for which they are so well known.
Vegvisir, The Viking Compass/The Runic Compass
The Vegvisir, also known as the runic compass or Nordic compass, is a symbol composed of eight runic staves and is associated with protection and guidance. It is believed to have been used by Vikings as a compass or a wayfinder. The word "vegvisir" itself means 'wayfinder' or 'signpost' in the Icelandic language.
While the Vegvisir is commonly referred to as the Viking compass and is often linked to the seafaring voyages of the Vikings during the Viking Age, there is some debate about its true origin.
There are two main sources that mention the Vegvisir: the Huld Manuscript compiled by Geir Vigfusson in 1880 and The Galdrabok, another manuscript considered to be a grimoire, or a textbook for magic.
In the Huld Manuscript, the Vegvisir is briefly mentioned as a symbol of guidance and protection. The text suggests that the wearer of this symbol will not lose their way during storms and bad weather, even if they are unaware of their destination.
It's important to note that the Huld Manuscript was compiled nearly ten centuries after the Viking Age. While some parts of the manuscript may be based on authentic knowledge of Norse beliefs and practices, it should be approached cautiously. Taking its contents literally without further research or corroboration may not be advisable.
The Vegvisir remains a symbol of interest and is often associated with the rich cultural and mystical heritage of the Vikings, but its exact origins and significance continue to be subjects of discussion among scholars and enthusiasts.
Some parts of the knowledge in the manuscript in question is inspired by folk traditions and the one regarding the Vegvisir might be one of those parts according to the experts.
The second source mentioning Vegvisir, the Galdrabok, is a grimoire, a book of spells which details randomly-compiled spells and provides knowledge about magic, the Germanic gods of the time and cosmology.
In the Galdrabok, it is written that this symbol would help its wearer to not get lost and find their way back. According to the Galdrabok, to provide guidance and protection, the Vegvisir should be drawn in blood on a person’s forehead – just like the Viking symbol of protection, the Aegishjalmur, the Helm of Awe would sometimes be.
Many people confuse the Vegvisir with Aegishjalmr, the helm of awe and terror although the two symbols are quite different from each other.
Although there is no certain knowledge of the Vegvisir’s origins and when it was used the first time, some people believe the symbol was used for navigational purposes by the Vikings.
Archeological findings revealed that the Vikings used a ‘sunstone’, a sun compass of sorts while they sailed around the world from North America to Far East.
While the said sun compass does not look anything like the Vegvisir and/or have such markings on it, it might be the inspiration behind the symbol according to some experts.
It is believed that the eight Icelandic rune staves comprising the Vegvisir could be representing the cardinal (North, South, West, East) and intercardinal directions (Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast).
Some people believe that a nail placed right in the middle of the Vegvisir would tell of directions (through its shadow’s position at certain times of day) and help the Vikings navigate the seas.
On a side note, in some legends, it is mentioned that the Vegvisir/the Nordic compass would be drawn on Icelandic ships to help them find their way back and come back home safely.
Today, the Vegvisir is used as symbol of Icelandic culture while people of Asatru faith also use it to identify themselves and as a symbol of spiritual guidance.
Vegvisir: The meaning of the Magical Viking Compass
The Vikings are known for their mythology. Symbols used for are intertwined with magical elements from their Nordic beliefs. But is the Vegvisir Viking Compass really a good example of this?
In this article, we dive into this Nordic compass and the Vegvisir’s meaning. And why we should still appreciate this “runic” compass for its interesting history and philosophy today.
The swimming test involved tying the accused witch's hands and feet together and dropping her into a body of water. If she floated, it was believed that she was in league with the devil and therefore a witch. On the other hand, if she sank and drowned, it was considered proof of her innocence.
What is the Vegvisir Norse Compass?
The Vegvisir, often termed the Viking compass, is an old Norse symbol comprising eight runes branching from a central point. Surrounding the Vegvisir, several runes from the Norse alphabet can appear, connecting the human realm to the divine through rune stones.
The Vegvisir Compass is also known as the Nordic compass, the runic compass, the Odin compass, and the Viking compass. It was not a literal compass, but a symbol used to prevent you from losing your way. And although we no longer hand these to boat captains for good luck on their journeys, the symbol still holds a pretty powerful philosophy. So one can still find it on people in the form of a tattoo, the jewelry they wear, and even video games such as Valheim.
The Vegvisir consists of eight points (similar to the look of a clock or a compass) with each point having a unique design. It is one of many Icelandic magical staves, or galdrastafir, which were supposedly used to channel magic in specific ways.
As it is a symbol, renting a car in Reykjavík is not going to help you very much when it comes to seeing the Vegvisir Viking Compass.
The pricking test involved searching the accused witch's body for the "devil's mark", which was believed to be an area of insensitivity. A needle was used to prick the mark, and if it didn't bleed, it was seen as a sign of witchcraft. However, these methods were highly controversial and often resulted in the wrongful execution of innocent individuals. Many women accused of witchcraft were merely victims of superstition and hysteria. The witch hunts during this time were fueled by religious fervor and societal fear, leading to the persecution of countless people. The role of the witch hunter varied across cultures and time periods. In some cases, they were seen as heroic figures who protected society from evil forces. In other instances, they were viewed with suspicion and even considered as part of the problem. The methods and beliefs of witch hunters differed greatly, depending on the cultural and historical context. In conclusion, the topic of witch hunters and the methods they used to cast out witches is a fascinating and dark part of history. It highlights the power of fear and superstition in shaping societal attitudes and actions. While witch hunting may seem like a thing of the past, it serves as a reminder of the dangers of blindly following dogma and scapegoating individuals based on unfounded beliefs..
Reviews for "Unleashing Your Inner Witch through Gunter Casting"
1. Alice - 2/5
I was really excited to watch "Witch Gunter Cast" as it was marketed as a thrilling fantasy adventure. However, I was left deeply disappointed. The plot was confusing, with unnecessary subplots that didn't seem to contribute to the main story. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect or care about them. Additionally, the special effects were underwhelming and failed to create a believable fantasy world. Overall, "Witch Gunter Cast" felt like a missed opportunity to create a captivating and engaging film.
2. John - 1/5
I couldn't even finish watching "Witch Gunter Cast" it was so poorly done. The dialogue was cheesy and the acting was just plain bad. The story made no sense and had so many plot holes that I couldn't keep up. The action scenes were poorly choreographed, and the visual effects were laughably bad. Save your time and money and watch something else. "Witch Gunter Cast" is definitely one to skip.
3. Emily - 2/5
As a fan of fantasy movies, I was disappointed by "Witch Gunter Cast." The premise had potential, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom punctuated by brief moments of action. The cinematography felt dull and uninspired, making the film visually uninteresting. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. In the end, "Witch Gunter Cast" was a forgettable and underwhelming addition to the genre.
4. Michael - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Witch Gunter Cast," but it fell short in many aspects. The story was convoluted and difficult to follow, leaving me confused throughout the entire film. The dialogue was cheesy and the acting was subpar, making it hard to take anything seriously. The special effects were lackluster and failed to create a sense of wonder or immersion. Overall, "Witch Gunter Cast" failed to live up to the expectations of a captivating fantasy film, leaving me disappointed.